Blackhawk Technical College: Blackhawk Faculty Federation donates $30,000 to endow scholarships for students

Contact: Gary Kohn (608) 757-7769 or cell (608) 436-9578, gkohn@blackhawk.edu

JANESVILLE, WI – The Blackhawk Technical College Faculty Federation has donated $30,000 to the BTC Foundation to endow scholarships for BTC students, bringing the Federation’s commitment to BTC scholarships to $50,000 over the past two years.

The Federation, which donated $20,000 to the BTC Foundation in 2013, will add the new donation to the previous fund and use interest on the fund to provide scholarships to second-year students in Associate Degree programs.

Orinda Conway, the president of the Federation who is an Information Technology Network Specialist instructor, said the Federation has had minimal expenses over the years and wanted to use its funds to support BTC students.

The money comes from dues paid by past and current members of the Faculty Federation, which was founded in 1972, Conway said.

“Faculty members have seen increased financial pressures on our students and wanted to help on an ongoing basis,’’ Conway explained. “The Faculty Federation membership agreed that giving a large sum to establish an endowment enables the gift to continue for years to come.’’

Elizabeth Horvath, the BTC Director of Advancement and Community Relations which oversees the Foundation, said the “generous donation from the BTC Faculty Federation is indicative of the faculty’s commitment to our students. “Blackhawk Technical College and the Foundation are proud to have faculty that continue to care for students’ financial needs and well-being. An endowed scholarship fund provides long-term financial support for students wishing to provide better lives for their families.’’

BTC scholarship applications are due by October 1 and May 1 annually. For more information about BTC scholarships or the BTC Foundation, go to blackhawk.edu or contact Elizabeth Horvath at ehorvath@blackhawk.edu, 608-757-7704.

ABOUT BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. BTC has five campus locations in Monroe, Milton, Beloit and Janesville, WI offering more than 50 programs including two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, BTC is a major provider of customized training and technical assistance for the Rock and Green County business community. More than half of all adults living in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training during the last decade.